Below is the probable artwork (minus the odd twitch and bit of finessing) for one of this year’s Cthulhiad books, and book that will contain three interlocking narratives looking at some of the catalysts for the events in the previous (and ongoing) Cthulhiad books.

Three broad chapters, namely “Issue”, “Zero”, and “Origin”, that make up the handy over-Title “Issue, Zero, Origin”, in which we’ll find out a little more about Harry, find out where he went after leaving Hamburg, and be a fly on the wall as Detective Malham gets to meet motormouth, “Backbone” McKendry.

The art above was predominantly painted in oils (a medium I’ve been playing with a little of late) with Graphic finishes in PhotoShop, including the warning sign in the foreground of the field.

It would be interesting to play with this or a similar medium to create a full set of internal artwork at some point… just maybe not this year, laughs.

The book should debut in time for Thought Bubble 2016 (we are hoping to have a table again this year), along with a second Horrere book from Little O and Madius, a follow up to the King’s Leap (another Viking tale), and the culmination and third book of the St George cycle of Cthulhiad books “Theogeny” – which concludes the story set out in The White Ship and last year’s “Drakon”.

So… it begins, this book will run along side the square format “Witness Books” as a counterpoint following an extended story arc, in which some items and characters from those other titles might appear. – Gareth, 5/08/13

…

Page 1 – Part 0 – A Prologue in Two Parts.

(spelling of copy to be ironed out in final artwork)

NOTES:

Translation Page 1 –

First Woman – THE CREATURES ARE WITHIN?

Second Woman – IF YOU CAN CALL THEM THAT.

First Woman – WHAT HAPPENS NOW SISTER?

Second Woman – IT HAS HAPPENED ALREADY. CAN YOU NOT SMELL THE SALT SEA IN ITS PASSING?

First Woman – AND THE CREATURES OF LIGHT WE FOLLOWED HERE? THEY HAVE FLED TO HIDE THEMSELVES WITHIN THE TEMPLE? IS THIS THE END OF IT SO SOON?

Second Woman – IT IS NO TEMPLE. IT IS A WATCHTOWER, OVER A PRISON, BUILT ABOUT A FOREST, BUILT ABOUT A GRAVE. AND PERHAPS YES. PERHAPS THE END BEGINS HERE.

Translation Page 2 –

First Woman – DOES THE MOTHER FOLLOW THEM TO ASK THIS?

Second Woman – NO SISTER, SHE GOES TO GRANT A BOON.

First Woman – I… I DON’T UNDERSTAND?

Second Woman – SHE HEARS THEIR FEAR AND GOES TO BAR THE GATE.

First Woman – AGAINST THE ONE WHO HAS AWOKEN?

Second Woman – IN PART, BUT TO GIVE THOSE THAT HAVE UNTIL NOW WATCHED OVER US THE REST THEY CRAVE, TO LOCK THE WORLD BEHIND THEM. WHILE THEY HIDE IN THE VACANT VOID OF A GOD’S GRAVE.

…

Page 4 – title page – The Cthulhiad – The Brethren of St. George

Page 5 & 6 – The Cthulhiad – The Brethren of St. George

Page 7 & 8 – The Cthulhiad – The Brethren of St. George

Page 9 – The Cthulhiad – The Brethren of St. George – WIP – Images to follow